Fruits of Retirement Or, Miscellaneous Poems, Moral and Divine. Being Some Contemplations, Letters, &c. Written on a Variety of Subjects and Occasions. By Mary Mollineux ... To which is Prefixed, Some Account of the Author |
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A Letter to Cousin F. R.
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A Letter to Cousin F. R.
In secret Yearning for thy Preservation,Endeared Friend, I send the Salutation
Of Love unfeign'd, and heartily desire
Its pure Refining Flame may ne'er expire,
Or be extinguish'd: For 'twas said of old,
Iniquities abound, when Love grows cold.
Now, though thy silent Pen doth testifie,
There's some (yet latent) cause of Jealousie:
I'll not my Rival envy, if it be
One worthy to be entertain'd by thee,
Without Detraction from that innate Worth,
Whereto (I hope) thou art by second Birth
Entituled. But can Affairs so crow'd,
Or interpose, no Hour must be allow'd
To send some welcome Evidence of Love,
Which did so mutually engage and move
Our Hearts and Pens so frequently t'express
Their Quondam Sympathy? Well, ne'ertheless
What's character'd in my poor pausing Mind,
I send unto thee, as by Love inclin'd;
Wishing thy Candid Aspect on the same,
Or else annihilate them in a Flame.
3d of 7th Mo. 1683.
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